Contingency release device that uses right-hand torque to allow movement of a collet prop

ABSTRACT

A device comprises: a torsion lock sleeve, wherein the torsion lock sleeve comprises a crenellated second end, wherein the torsion lock sleeve is tubular in shape, and wherein at least a portion of the inner circumference of the torsion lock sleeve engages at least one ridge, wherein the ridge inhibits or prohibits rotational movement of the torsion lock sleeve; and a release nut, wherein the release nut comprises a crenellated first end, and wherein the first end of the release nut is capable of engaging the second end of the torsion lock sleeve.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation of and claims priority to U.S.application Ser. No. 13/587,596, filed on Aug. 16, 2012, which claimspriority to PCT Application No. PCT/US11/58694, filed on Nov. 1, 2011.

TECHNICAL FIELD

A contingency release device and methods of use are provided. The devicecan be used to provide a sufficient amount of set down stroke to acollet prop necessary to allow compression of collet fingers on a tool.The device includes a release nut and a torsion lock sleeve that arecapable of engaging each other via crenellated ends. According tocertain embodiments, the release nut and torsion lock sleeve aredisengaged via movement of a piston. According to other embodiments,after disengagement, the release nut is displaced by applying aright-hand torque to an inner release mandrel.

SUMMARY

According to an embodiment, a device comprises: a torsion lock sleeve,wherein the torsion lock sleeve comprises a crenellated second end,wherein the torsion lock sleeve is tubular in shape, and wherein atleast a portion of the inner circumference of the torsion lock sleeveengages at least one ridge; and a release nut, wherein the release nutcomprises a crenellated first end, and wherein the first end of therelease nut is capable of engaging the second end of the torsion locksleeve.

According to another embodiment, a method of displacing a release nutcomprises: positioning a device in a portion of a subterraneanformation, wherein the device comprises: a torsion lock sleeve, whereinthe torsion lock sleeve comprises a crenellated second end, wherein thetorsion lock sleeve is tubular in shape, and wherein at least a portionof the inner circumference of the torsion lock sleeve engages at leastone ridge; and a release nut, wherein the release nut comprises acrenellated first end, and wherein the first end of the release nut isengaged with the second end of the torsion lock sleeve; moving thetorsion lock sleeve, wherein the step of moving the torsion lock sleevecomprises disengaging the first end of the release nut with the secondend of the torsion lock sleeve; and moving the release nut.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The features and advantages of certain embodiments will be more readilyappreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanyingfigures. The figures are not to be construed as limiting any of thepreferred embodiments.

FIG. 1A is a diagram of the device, wherein a release nut is connectedto an outer cylinder, shown prior to movement of the release nut andouter cylinder.

FIG. 1B is a diagram of the device from FIG. 1A, shown after movement ofthe release nut and outer cylinder.

FIG. 2A is a three-dimensional perspective of the release nut and atorsion lock sleeve engaged with each other.

FIG. 2B is a three-dimensional perspective of the release nut and thetorsion lock sleeve disengaged from each other.

FIG. 3A depicts another embodiment of the device, wherein the releasenut is attached to an inner tool mandrel, shown prior to movement of therelease nut and the inner tool mandrel.

FIG. 3B is a diagram of the device from FIG. 3A, shown after movement ofthe release nut and the inner tool mandrel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the words “comprise,” “have,” “include,” and allgrammatical variations thereof are each intended to have an open,non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps.

It should be understood that, as used herein, “first,” “second,”“third,” etc., are arbitrarily assigned and are merely intended todifferentiate between two or more ends, ports, etc., as the case may be,and does not indicate any sequence. Furthermore, it is to be understoodthat the mere use of the term “first” does not require that there be any“second,” and the mere use of the term “second” does not require thatthere be any “third,” etc.

Oil and gas hydrocarbons are naturally occurring in some subterraneanformations. A subterranean formation containing oil or gas is sometimesreferred to as a reservoir. A reservoir may be located under land or offshore. Reservoirs are typically located in the range of a few hundredfeet (shallow reservoirs) to a few tens of thousands of feet (ultra-deepreservoirs).

In order to produce oil or gas, a wellbore is drilled into a reservoiror adjacent to a reservoir. A portion of a wellbore may be an open holeor cased hole. In a cased-hole wellbore portion, a casing is placed intothe wellbore, which can also contain a tubing string. A well caninclude, without limitation, an oil, gas, or water production well, oran injection well. As used herein, a “well” includes at least onewellbore. A wellbore can include vertical, inclined, and horizontalportions, and it can be straight, curved, or branched. As used herein,the term “wellbore” includes any cased, and any uncased, open-holeportion of the wellbore. A near-wellbore region is the subterraneanmaterial and rock of the subterranean formation surrounding thewellbore. As used herein, a “well” also includes the near-wellboreregion. The near-wellbore region is generally considered to be theregion within about 100 feet of the wellbore. As used herein, “into awell” means and includes into any portion of the well, including intothe wellbore or into the near-wellbore region via the wellbore.

After a wellbore has been drilled, the wellbore is then completed.During completion of an open-hole wellbore portion, a tubing string maybe placed into the wellbore. The tubing string allows fluids to beintroduced into, or flowed from, a remote portion of the wellbore. Atubing is a section of tubular pipe, usually 30 feet in length. Examplesof pipes can include a blank pipe, a sand screen, or a washpipe. Atubing string refers to multiple sections of pipe connected to eachother. A tubing string is created by joining multiple sections of pipetogether via male right-handed threads at the bottom of a first sectionof pipe and corresponding female threads at the top of a second sectionof pipe. The two sections of pipe are connected to each other byapplying a right-hand torque to the first section of pipe while thesecond section of pipe remains relatively stationary. The joinedsections of pipe are then lowered into the wellbore. The processcontinues in this fashion until the desired length of tubing string hasbeen placed in the wellbore.

There are several tools that are used in oil and gas operations thatinclude a collet and a collet prop. A collet is generally fitted aroundthe outside of a mandrel. The collet commonly includes at least oneconcentric ring and collet fingers that extend from the ring. The colletfingers can include a lug. A retrieving tool is one example of a toolthat can include a collet. A retrieving tool can be used to retrieve anobject, such as a downhole tool or tubular, from a wellbore and returnthe object to the surface. The object to be retrieved generally includesrecesses that correspond to lugs on the collet fingers. The lugs on thecollet fingers are designed to fit inside the recesses on the object.The collets are prone to contract around the outer diameter of themandrel. In order to prevent the collet fingers from contracting, andthus, not engage with the recesses on the object, a collet prop can bepositioned between the collet and the outside of the mandrel. Anotherexample of a tool that can include a collet is an expansion tool. Priorto expansion, a tubing string, such as a liner, can be suspended fromthe collet via collet finger lugs that engage recesses in the tubingstring. The collet fingers are rigid and can support the weight of thetubing string only when the collet prop is located under the collet.

These tools often include an outer cylinder and an inner mandrel.Typically, the outer cylinder and inner mandrel are prevented frommoving relative to the tubing string, via a shouldered connection. Oncethe desired tool operation is completed, such as expansion of the tubingstring, the shouldered connection is separated and there is freemovement of the outer cylinder or inner mandrel with respect to thetubing string. Upon separation of the shouldered connection, the colletprop can be moved, also called dropped. Typically, this is accomplishedby moving either the inner mandrel or the outer cylinder downward withrespect to the tubing string. The movement of the outer cylinder orinner mandrel causes the collet prop to move out from underneath thecollet. The collet prop must be dropped to a point below the collet inorder for the fingers to flex inward towards the mandrel. When thecollet fingers can be easily flexed inward, the tool can be releasedfrom the tubing string. The amount of movement of the collet proprequired to release the tool can vary based on the tool design, but isgenerally in the range of about 4 inches (in.) to about 8 in.

However, in some situations, it may be necessary to release a tool priorto the completion of the desired tool operation. By way of example, foran expansion tool, if the tubing string becomes stuck in the wellborebefore it reaches the desired depth, then the running tool must bereleased from the tubing string. As mentioned above, the collet prop canbe dropped upon completion of the desired tool operation because theshoulder connection is separated. However, prior to the completion ofthe tool operation, the shouldered connection will not be separated andthe ability to move the collet prop out from underneath the collet torelease the tool is not possible. Therefore, contingency release deviceshave been developed that provide the required distance for the colletprop to drop to allow retraction of the collets and subsequent releaseof the tool. Typically, these contingency release mechanisms requireadditional steps or a specific sequence of additional steps to beperformed in order to drop the collet prop. The steps or sequence ofsteps can be designed such that the risk of unintentionally activatingthe contingency release mechanism at the incorrect time is reduced.

Contingency release devices commonly include shear pins or a J-slot. Ashear pin contingency release mechanism is a sliding connection thatwould allow the required movement of the collet prop once the shear pinsare broken through a set down force. A minimum amount of weight isrequired to break the shear pins, which then allows the slidingconnection to move downward and allows the collet prop to move out fromunderneath the collet. However, a disadvantage to using shear pins isthat if the force required to break the pins is designed to be too low,then there is a risk of accidentally shearing the pins while pushing thetubing string into the wellbore. Moreover, if the force required tobreak the pins is designed to be too high, then there is a risk ofexceeding the available force that can be applied to the mechanism, inwhich case the mechanism would not operate and the shear pins wouldnever break. A J-slot contingency release mechanism requires a left-handtorque to be applied to the device followed by a set down weight inorder to drop the collet prop. This device functions by moving some lugsin a “J” shaped slot via left-hand torque and set down weight. TheJ-slot groove is designed to prevent the risk of accidental operation ofthe contingency release mechanism while pushing the tubing string intothe wellbore. However, because a tubing string is assembled byconnecting multiple sections of pipe together via right-hand torque,field operators are hesitant to apply a left-hand torque for fear ofunthreading sections of the tubing string.

Thus, it is desirable to provide an apparatus that provides the requireddistance for moving a collet prop out from underneath a collet prior tocompletion of the desired operation of the tool. It is desirable thatthe apparatus does not have force restrictions and does not requireleft-hand torque for movement.

A novel apparatus and method of use for moving a release nut areprovided. The release nut can be engaged to a torsion lock sleeve viacrenellated ends of the nut and sleeve. The torsion lock sleeve can beprevented from rotating about an inner mandrel via one or more ridges.In the event it becomes necessary to drop a collet prop, the release nutcan be moved, which will allow movement of the collet prop. The releasenut can be moved by disengaging the torsion lock sleeve from the releasenut. The release nut can now be moved by applying a right-hand torque tothe nut.

According to an embodiment, a device comprises: a torsion lock sleeve,wherein the torsion lock sleeve comprises a crenellated second end,wherein the torsion lock sleeve is tubular in shape, and wherein atleast a portion of the inner circumference of the torsion lock sleeveengages at least one ridge; and a release nut, wherein the release nutcomprises a crenellated first end, and wherein the first end of therelease nut is capable of engaging the second end of the torsion locksleeve.

According to another embodiment, a method of displacing a release nutcomprises: positioning a device in a portion of a subterraneanformation, wherein the device comprises: a torsion lock sleeve, whereinthe torsion lock sleeve comprises a crenellated second end, wherein thetorsion lock sleeve is tubular in shape, and wherein at least a portionof the inner circumference of the torsion lock sleeve engages at leastone ridge; and a release nut, wherein the release nut comprises acrenellated first end, and wherein the first end of the release nut isengaged with the second end of the torsion lock sleeve; moving thetorsion lock sleeve, wherein the step of moving the torsion lock sleevecomprises disengaging the first end of the release nut with the secondend of the torsion lock sleeve; and moving the release nut.

Any discussion of a particular component of the device (e.g., a ridge40) is meant to include the singular form of the component and also theplural form of the component, without the need to continually refer tothe component in both the singular and plural form throughout. Forexample, if a discussion involves “the ridge 40,” it is to be understoodthat the discussion pertains to one ridge (singular) and two or moreridges (plural). It is also to be understood that any discussion of aparticular component or particular embodiment regarding a component ismeant to apply to the apparatus embodiments and the method embodiments,without the need to re-state all of the particulars for both theapparatus and method embodiments.

Turning to the Figures, the device comprises a piston assembly 100. Thepiston assembly 100 can include a piston 101, a piston housing 103, anda piston adjustment sleeve 104. The piston assembly 100 can also includeat least one shear pin 102, or more than one shear pin 102. As can beseen in the Figures, the piston 101 can be located adjacent to an innerrelease mandrel 10. At least a portion of the piston 101 can be attachedto and/or located within the piston housing 103. The piston housing 103can be operatively connected to the piston adjustment sleeve 104. Theshear pin 102 can be located adjacent to the piston 101. In this manner,if a sufficient force is applied to the piston 101 then the shear pin102 will shear, or break.

The device also includes a torsion lock sleeve 20. The torsion locksleeve 20 is operatively connected to the piston assembly 100. Thetorsion lock sleeve 20 can be directly or operatively connected to thepiston adjustment sleeve 104. By way of example, the torsion lock sleeve20 can be operatively connected to the piston adjustment sleeve 104 viaa torsion lock sleeve engagement ring 22. In this manner, the torsionlock sleeve 20 can be directly attached to the torsion lock sleeveengagement ring 22 and the torsion lock sleeve engagement ring 22 canthen be directly connected to the piston adjustment sleeve 104. Thetorsion lock sleeve 20 comprises a crenellated second end. The secondend is preferably located downstream of the first end of the torsionlock sleeve 20, and is also preferably located adjacent to a first endof a release nut 30. As used herein, the term “downstream” means in thedirection away from the top of the device, wherein the top of the deviceis defined as being the area of the device that is closest to thewellhead. For example, the inner release mandrel may be located closerto the wellhead compared to the inner tool mandrel. As such, downstreamwould be in a direction away from the inner release mandrel towards theinner tool mandrel. Moreover, a portion of a particular component, suchas the inner release mandrel, will be closer to the wellhead compared toanother portion of the same component. In this example, downstream wouldbe in a direction away from the portion closest to the wellhead towardsthe portion farther away from the wellhead. As used herein, the term“upstream” means in the direction towards the top of the device.

The device can further include a torsion lock sleeve gap 21. The torsionlock sleeve engagement ring 22 can be located within the torsion locksleeve gap 21. The torsion lock sleeve gap 21 can be used to allow somemovement of the piston assembly 100 without causing movement of thetorsion lock sleeve 20. For example, the torsion lock sleeve gap 21 canbe designed such that all of the force is channeled to cause movement ofthe piston 101, which causes the shear pin 102 to break, instead of someof the force also moving the torsion lock sleeve 20. The torsion locksleeve gap 21 can be a variety of lengths. In an embodiment, the lengthof the torsion lock sleeve gap 21 is at least sufficient to allow theshear pin 102 to break without causing movement of the torsion locksleeve 20. In this manner, as the piston 101, piston housing 103, andpiston adjustment sleeve 104 are moved by force in an upstreamdirection, the shear pin 102 will break. During this movement, thepiston adjustment sleeve 104 moves the torsion lock sleeve engagementring 22 in the torsion lock sleeve gap 21. The torsion lock sleeveengagement ring 22 will continue to travel upstream in the torsion locksleeve gap 21 without causing movement to the torsion lock sleeve 20until the torsion lock sleeve engagement ring 22 has traveled the entirelength of the torsion lock sleeve gap 21. Then, only after the shearpins 102 have sheared and the torsion lock sleeve engagement ring 22 hastraveled the entire length of the torsion lock sleeve gap 21, will thetorsion lock sleeve engagement ring 22 cause an upstream movement of thetorsion lock sleeve 20.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1A-3B, the device can also include an innerrelease mandrel 10, an outer cylinder 50, and a lock nut 300. The locknut 300 can be connected to the inner release mandrel 10 via right-handthreads and can be used to halt movement of the release nut 30. By wayof example, and as can be seen in FIG. 1B, after movement of the releasenut 30, the release nut can tighten up against the lock nut 300, whichprevents additional movement of the release nut. The device can furtherinclude a shoulder for the lock nut 300 (not shown). The shoulder can belocated downstream of the lock nut 300. The shoulder can be part of anintermediary mandrel (not shown).

FIGS. 1A and 1B depict the device according to an embodiment and FIGS.3A and 3B depict the device according to another embodiment. Accordingto the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the device can include acollet prop connected to an inner tool mandrel (not shown in FIGS.1A-2B). The release nut 30 can be connected to the outer cylinder 50 andcan also be connected to the inner release mandrel 10 via left-handthreads. The inner release mandrel 10 can be shouldered against the locknut 300. As can be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, as the release nut 30 ismoved, the outer cylinder 50 moves with the release nut and the innerrelease mandrel 10 remains stationary. The release nut 30 and the outercylinder 50 can travel downstream until stopped by the lock nut 300. Thecollet prop (not shown) can be connected to an inner tool mandrel (alsonot shown). According to this embodiment, the inner tool mandrel isoperatively connected to the outer cylinder 50, such that after movementof the release nut 30 (and the outer cylinder 50), the collet prop canbe dropped the desired distance.

Turning to the other embodiment depicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the innerrelease mandrel 10 can be connected to the lock nut 300. The outercylinder 50 can be shouldered to the inner tool mandrel 11, and theinner tool mandrel 11 can be connected to the release nut 30. Therelease nut 30 can be connected to the inner release mandrel 10 vialeft-hand threads. The collet prop (not shown) can be connected to theinner tool mandrel 11. As can be seen, as the release nut 30 moves, theinner tool mandrel 11 also moves, while the outer cylinder 50 remainsstationary. The release nut 30 and the inner tool mandrel 11 traveldownstream until stopped by the lock nut 300. After movement of therelease nut 30 (and the inner tool mandrel 11), the collet prop can bedropped the desired distance.

The torsion lock sleeve 20 is tubular is shape and at least a portion ofthe inner circumference of the torsion lock sleeve 20 engages at leastone ridge 40. According to an embodiment, the device includes more thanone, and preferably a plurality of, ridges 40. As can be seen in FIG.2B, at least a portion of the inner release mandrel 10 includes theridge 40. The ridge 40 can extend outwardly from the inner releasemandrel 10. If the device includes more than one ridge 40, then theridges 40 can be spatially arranged around the outer circumference ofthe inner release mandrel 10. According to an embodiment, the ridges 40are equally spaced around the outer circumference of the inner releasemandrel 10. The torsion lock sleeve 20 can include one or more recesses(not shown). The recesses can be the same depth as the height of theridge 40, and the width of the recesses can be the same width, orpreferably slightly larger than, the width of the ridge 40. In thismanner, the ridge 40 can fit inside the recess. Preferably, the recessesof the torsion lock sleeve 20 are spatially arranged in the same patternaround the inner circumference of the torsion lock sleeve 20 as theridges 40 of the inner release mandrel 10. According to an embodiment,the torsion lock sleeve 20 is inhibited, and preferably prohibited, fromrotating about an axis of the inner release mandrel 10. The recess andthe ridge 40 can be used to inhibit or prohibit rotational movement ofthe torsion lock sleeve 20.

The device includes the release nut 30. As can be seen in FIGS. 2A and2B, the release nut 30 includes a crenellated first end, wherein thefirst end of the release nut 30 is capable of engaging the crenellatedsecond end of the torsion lock sleeve 20. FIG. 2A shows the first end ofthe release nut 30 engaged with the second end of the torsion locksleeve 20. FIG. 2B shows the release nut 30 disengaged from the torsionlock sleeve 20. As used herein, the word “crenellated” and allgrammatical variations thereof, means having repeated indentations.Examples of crenellated items include battlements on a tower of a castleand crenellated molding. Each indentation forms an indented portion anda raised portion on the end of the torsion lock sleeve 20 and releasenut 30. The indentions (and therefore, the raised portions) can be avariety of shapes, including but not limited to, square, rectangle, androunded. Preferably the shape of the indentions is the same for bothcrenellated ends of the torsion lock sleeve 20 and the release nut 30.There can be only two indentations or more than two indentations.Preferably, the number of indentations on the end of the torsion locksleeve 20 and the end of the release nut 30 is at least sufficient toallow the torsion lock sleeve 20 to engage, and preferably lock, withthe release nut 30. The spacing of the indentations is also preferablythe same width such that the torsion lock sleeve 20 can engage with therelease nut 30.

In order to engage, the shape and dimensions of the indentations can beselected such that the raised portions on the first end of the releasenut 30 can slide into the recessed portions of the second end of thetorsion lock sleeve 20. In an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2A, thecrenellated ends of the release nut 30 and the torsion lock sleeve 20fit tightly together. Preferably, the crenellated ends of the releasenut 30 and the torsion lock sleeve 20 fit together in a manner such thatthe release nut 30 and torsion lock sleeve 20 are engaged with eachother. As used herein, reference to the release nut 30 and the torsionlock sleeve 20 being “engaged,” and all grammatical variations thereof,means that if either component (i.e., the release nut 30 or the torsionlock sleeve 20) is incapable of, or prevented from, moving in arotational direction about an axis, then the other component would alsobe incapable of rotational movement. By way of example, if the torsionlock sleeve 20 is prevented from rotational movement about an axis ofthe inner release mandrel 10 via the ridge 40, and the release nut 30and the torsion lock sleeve 20 are engaged, then the release nut 30 isprevented from rotational movement because the torsion lock sleeve 20 isprevented from rotational movement. However, if the release nut 30 isdisengaged from the torsion lock sleeve 20 (as shown in FIG. 2B), thenrotational movement of either component is not dictated by the othercomponent. For example, once disengaged, even if the torsion lock sleeve20 is prevented from rotating due to the ridge 40, the release nut 30may be capable of rotation. Of course, in this example, the release nut30 may be prevented from rotation due to another reason, but it will notbe due to engagement with the torsion lock sleeve 20.

The device can include at least one piston pressure port 105. Accordingto an embodiment, the piston 101 is capable of being moved. The piston101 can be moved in an upstream direction. According to an embodiment,when the piston 101 moves, the piston housing 103 and the pistonadjustment sleeve 104 move as well. The piston pressure port 105 can beincluded when the piston 101 is to be moved by pressure. If the deviceincludes the piston pressure port 105, then the piston pressure port 105can be positioned in a variety of locations, for example, at a locationsuch that the piston 101 is capable of being moved via pressure from thepiston pressure port 105.

The device can also include a bypass sleeve 200. If the device does notinclude a bypass sleeve 200, then preferably a pressure is maintained onthe piston assembly 100 such that the torsion lock sleeve 20 is held upfrom the release nut 30 in a disengaged position. Preferably, thepressure is maintained for at least a sufficient time to allow thecomplete movement of the release nut 30, for example, via applying aright-hand torque to the release nut 30. The bypass sleeve 200 can belocated upstream of the piston 101, and in the direction of movement ofthe piston 101. The bypass sleeve 200 can be used to help stop upstreammovement of the piston 101 and can be used to remove pressure from thesystem after movement of the piston 101. As can be seen in FIGS. 1A and1B, the piston 101 can be moved (e.g., by pressure) such that the piston101 travels along the inner release mandrel 10 in a direction toward thebypass sleeve 200. The piston 101 can shear the shear pin 102 duringmovement. If the piston 101 has traveled a sufficient distance, then thepiston 101 can come in contact with the bypass sleeve 200. If pressureis maintained in the system, then the piston 101 can cause the bypasssleeve 200 to move in an upstream direction. There can be a shear pin(not shown) positioned adjacent the bypass sleeve 200, such that as thebypass sleeve 200 moves in an upstream direction, the bypass sleeveshear pin can break. After movement of the bypass sleeve 200, thepressure bypass port 60 can be opened. Now, the pressure in the systemcan exit into the wellbore via the opened pressure bypass port 60.

Once the pressure exits the system, the piston assembly 100 and thetorsion lock sleeve 20 will tend to move in a downstream direction underthe force of gravity and due to a lack of pressure holding thecomponents up. The device can further include a retaining ring 70 and aretaining ring groove 71. The retaining ring 70 and the retaining ringgroove 71 can be used to inhibit or prevent movement of the piston 101in a downstream direction. The retaining ring 70 is preferably connectedto the piston 101. The retaining ring groove 71 is preferably located adesired distance in an upstream direction from the retaining ring 70.The desired distance of the retaining ring groove 71 can be a distanceno greater than the distance that the piston 101 is capable oftraveling. In this manner, as the piston 101 moves in an upstreamdirection, the retaining ring 70 moves along with the piston 101. Theretaining ring groove 71 is located the desired distance from theretaining ring 70 such that when the retaining ring 70 has traveled thedesired distance, the retaining ring 70 will engage with the retainingring groove 71. The retaining ring 70 can be designed such that it fitsaround the inner release mandrel 10. The retaining ring 70 can have atension prior to engagement with the retaining ring groove 71. Forexample, the retaining ring 70 can be a C-clamp. In this manner, whenthe retaining ring 70 engages the retaining ring groove 71, then theretaining ring 70 can snap into a position within the retaining ringgroove 71. The retaining ring 70 can now help prevent the piston 101from moving and can also help prevent the torsion lock sleeve 20 frommoving in a downstream direction and re-engaging with the release nut30. The bypass sleeve 200 can also include a retaining ring andretaining ring groove (not shown) to help prevent the bypass sleeve frommoving back in a downstream direction and also help maintain the bypasspressure port 60 in an open position.

The methods include the step of positioning the device in a portion of asubterranean formation. The subterranean formation can be penetrated bya well. According to an embodiment, the step of positioning includespositioning the device in a portion of the well. The step of positioningcan be inserting the device into the well.

The methods include the step of moving the torsion lock sleeve 20,wherein the step of moving the torsion lock sleeve 20 comprisesdisengaging the first end of the release nut 30 with the second end ofthe torsion lock sleeve 20. The methods can further include the step ofmoving the piston 101. The step of moving the piston 101 can beperformed before, or simultaneously with, the step of moving the torsionlock sleeve 20. According to an embodiment, the step of moving thepiston 101 causes movement of the torsion lock sleeve 20. According toan embodiment, the torsion lock sleeve 20 is moved via movement of thetorsion lock sleeve engagement ring 22. As the torsion lock sleeveengagement ring 22, and optionally the piston adjustment sleeve 104,travel in a direction away from the torsion lock sleeve 20, the torsionlock sleeve engagement ring 22 can travel the entire distance of thetorsion lock sleeve gap 21. The torsion lock sleeve engagement ring 22can then cause movement of the torsion lock sleeve 20. According to thisembodiment, movement of the piston 101 causes movement of the torsionlock sleeve engagement ring 22, which in turn causes movement of thetorsion lock sleeve 20. There can be a delay between movement of thepiston 101 and movement of the torsion lock sleeve engagement ring 22,and there can also be a delay between movement of the torsion locksleeve engagement ring 22 and movement of the torsion lock sleeve 20.The piston 101 can be moved by a variety of means, including but notlimited to, hydraulic or mechanical force. Examples of mechanisms usedto apply hydraulic force to the piston 101 include, but are not limitedto, the use of: a ball or other sealing object on a sealing surface, anambient chamber, a rupture disk, a flapper, a valve, or an explosivecharge. Mechanical means to apply force to the piston can include, butare not limited to, the use of rotation, pushing, or pulling directly orindirectly on the piston 101 to cause movement of the piston. Accordingto an embodiment, the torsion lock sleeve 20 is inhibited, or prevented,from rotational movement about an axis of the inner release mandrel 10,via, for example, the ridge 40.

According to an embodiment, the torsion lock sleeve 20 is moved at leasta sufficient distance such that the second end of the torsion locksleeve 20 becomes disengaged from the first end of the release nut 30.As discussed above, the second end of the torsion lock sleeve 20 and thefirst end of the release nut 30 are crenellated. In order to disengage,the raised portions of the crenellated ends are preferably not incontact with one another.

The methods also include the step of moving the release nut 30. The stepof moving the release nut 30 is preferably performed after the step ofmoving the torsion lock sleeve 20. The step of moving the release nut 30comprises moving the release nut 30 in an axial direction relative tothe inner release mandrel 10. According to an embodiment, the releasenut 30 is axially-moved in a downstream direction via rotationalmovement of the release nut 30. As discussed above, the release nut 30can be connected to the inner release mandrel 10 via left-hand threads.The step of moving the release nut 30 can comprise applying a right-handtorque to at least the inner release mandrel 10. For example, after therelease nut 30 is disengaged from the torsion lock sleeve 20, then therelease nut 30 can be axially moved by applying a right-hand torque tothe inner release mandrel 10. Preferably, the release nut 30 is axiallymoved in a downstream direction at least a sufficient distance. Thesufficient distance can be the distance required for a collet prop to bedropped. The amount of downstream movement can be controlled with theuse of the lock nut 300. The lock nut 300 can be positioned on the innerrelease mandrel 10 at a location downstream of release nut 30. Uponcontact with the lock nut 300, the release nut 30 can be prevented fromfurther downstream movement.

As can be seen in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the step of moving the release nut 30can also include moving the outer cylinder 50. As can be seen in FIGS.3A and 3B, the step of moving the release nut 30 can also include movingthe inner tool mandrel 11.

The methods can further include the step of removing a tool from awellbore (not shown) after the step of moving the release nut 30. Thetool can be a variety of tools. According to an embodiment, the toolincludes at least one collet and at least one collet prop. Examples ofthe tool include, without limitation, a drop-off tool, an expansiontool, a retrieval tool, and a conventional setting tool.

Therefore, the present invention is well adapted to attain the ends andadvantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. Theparticular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as thepresent invention may be modified and practiced in different butequivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having thebenefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations areintended to the details of construction or design herein shown, otherthan as described in the claims below. It is, therefore, evident thatthe particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be alteredor modified and all such variations are considered within the scope andspirit of the present invention. While compositions and methods aredescribed in terms of “comprising,” “containing,” or “including” variouscomponents or steps, the compositions and methods also can “consistessentially of” or “consist of” the various components and steps.Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit isdisclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range isspecifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of theform, “from about a to about b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately ato b,” or, equivalently, “from approximately a to b”) disclosed hereinis to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassedwithin the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims havetheir plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearlydefined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles “a” or “an”,as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than oneof the element that it introduces. If there is any conflict in theusages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent(s)or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, thedefinitions that are consistent with this specification should beadopted.

What is claimed is:
 1. A device comprising: a torsion lock sleeve,wherein the torsion lock sleeve comprises a crenellated second end,wherein the torsion lock sleeve is tubular in shape, and wherein atleast a portion of the inner circumference of the torsion lock sleeveengages at least one ridge, wherein the engagement is a non-threadedconnection, wherein the ridge inhibits or prohibits rotational movementof the torsion lock sleeve, and wherein the ridge extends in a directionthat is parallel with a longitudinal axis of the torsion lock sleeve;and a release nut, wherein the release nut comprises a crenellated firstend, and wherein the first end of the release nut is capable of engagingthe second end of the torsion lock sleeve.
 2. The device according toclaim 1, wherein the device further comprises a piston assembly.
 3. Thedevice according to claim 2, wherein the piston assembly includes apiston, a piston housing, and a piston adjustment sleeve.
 4. The deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the torsion lock sleeve is directly oroperatively connected to the piston adjustment sleeve.
 5. The deviceaccording to claim 3, wherein the piston is capable of being moved. 6.The device according to claim 5, wherein when the piston moves, thepiston housing and the piston adjustment sleeve move as well.
 7. Thedevice according to claim 6, wherein movement of the piston is capableof causing movement of the torsion lock sleeve.
 8. The device accordingto claim 6, wherein the torsion lock sleeve is capable of being moved atleast a sufficient distance such that the second end of the torsion locksleeve becomes disengaged from the first end of the release nut.
 9. Thedevice according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises aninner release mandrel, an outer cylinder, a lock nut, and an inner toolmandrel.
 10. The device according to claim 9, wherein the release nut isconnected to the inner release mandrel via left-hand threads, andwherein the release nut is capable of being moved by applying aright-hand torque to at least the inner release mandrel.
 11. The deviceaccording to claim 9, wherein the device further comprises a colletprop, wherein the collet prop is connected to the inner tool mandrel.12. The device according to claim 11, wherein the lock nut is connectedto the inner release mandrel.
 13. The device according to claim 12,wherein the lock nut is used to halt movement of the release nut. 14.The device according to claim 13, wherein the release nut is connectedto the outer cylinder and wherein the inner release mandrel isshouldered against the lock nut.
 15. The device according to claim 14,wherein as the release nut is moved, the outer cylinder moves with therelease nut and the inner release mandrel remains stationary.
 16. Thedevice according to claim 15, wherein the inner tool mandrel isoperatively connected to the outer cylinder, such that after movement ofthe outer cylinder, the collet prop can be dropped a desired distance.17. The device according to claim 13, wherein the outer cylinder isshouldered against the inner tool mandrel and wherein the inner toolmandrel is connected to the release nut via left-hand threads.
 18. Thedevice according to claim 17, wherein as the release nut moves, theinner tool mandrel moves with the release nut and the outer cylinderremains stationary.
 19. The device according to claim 18, wherein aftermovement of the inner tool mandrel, the collet prop can be dropped adesired distance.